Game developer Phophetic Sky offers another one of their takes on the tower defense genre with their new game Spires HD. First released on the iPhone, now on the larger screened iPad, Spires HD is a brightly colored fantasy tower defense game that delivers a nice variety of game modes including a few puzzle modes.

Gameplay

Spires HD offers two main game modes, story mode and puzzle mode. Story mode is made up of five different levels that can be played in four different difficulties. The story mode is overall a lot of fun but feels a little short; while these levels are fun and entertaining they really leave you wanting more levels to play. Different story mode levels do feature different types of towers, it would have added more replay value if the game allowed you to choose which towers to use in each level. After completing all the story mode levels the game does hint at more levels coming but it doesn?t say if they will be a free update or an in-app purchase.

Surprisingly puzzle mode has more levels and gameplay than story mode. Puzzle mode features three sub-categories: gauntlet, survival, and siege modes. Gauntlet mode offers five levels and gives you a set amount of funds to built your defenses against a set wave of enemies and you are scored by the outcome, a uniquely fun and strategic mode that is a lot of fun to replay with different set-ups. Survival mode gives you seven levels to face endless waves of enemies where your only chance to survive is to build an ever increasing maze of towers, there are also three additional Facebook exclusive levels which you have to be online to play. Siege mode also offers seven levels with three more Facebook exclusive, the main variation with this mode being that your towers can be attacked and destroyed by the enemies.

All these different modes and variations of the game really help keep the game fun and enjoyable to come back and play even after you have completed most of the game. It is worth noting that there are two exclusive features to the HD version of this game. The fourth difficulty setting in story mode which is called extreme is exclusive to the HD version as is the puzzle mode called siege. It's nice to see that the developer offer additional content instead of just an increased price for the HD version without much added value.

Graphics

The graphics are nice and bright and colorful but could be a little crisper and more clearer. The fantasy graphic design is really nice and works great with the game, these are my favorite types of TD games. The touch controls work great with the gameplay and are very intuitive and user friendly. The developer did a great job making sure you can see where you are placing your towers by adding a checkered background when you are placing a tower.

Sound

The background music is well done and fits the game perfectly with nice orchestral works. The sound effects are also very nice and fit right in with the game, everything sounds right and very high quality. The only thing missing is the ability to listen to your own music while playing the game.

Conclusion

Overall this is a fun tower defense game that is fun to play and it really should appeal to anyone who enjoys TD games or strategic games. Spires HD is a pleasure to look at and offers lots of variety in its gameplay, well worth the asking price.

Ratings (scale of 1 to 5):

Graphics: -4- Bright and vibrant if only a little crisper.Sound: -4- Sounds great too bad no custom play lists.Controls: -5- Everything works well and functions as you would expect.Gameplay: -5- Fun and entertaining with a nice amount of variety.